In addition to being uncomfortable, dry mouth can also lead to tooth decay, bad breath, and difficulty swallowing. We asked medical cannabis users how they deal with this problem and combed the internet for ideas. Here are some of the more popular suggestions we found.
Hydrate
It’s pretty obvious. but drinking can ease the symptoms of dry mouth. You should drink a lot, especially water, as much as five extra glasses per day. Tip: You may want to pH test your tap or bottled water; some users point out that more alkaline water is more effective.
- Other drinks, such as fruit juice (without added sugar or artificial sweeteners), vegetable juice, or electrolyte drinks like Gatorade. Tip: Avoid sugary drinks and artificial sweeteners.
- Water with a little apple cider vinegar mixed in. Tip: The colder the better, so prepare the mixture in advance and refrigerate.
Eat foods that contain water or stimulate salivation
- Suck on an ice cube, hard candy, mints, honey lozenges (with low salt content), cherry pit, even a clean pebble. Tip: Xylitol gum and mints may offer relief when used in moderation, but for some they may cause diarrhea.
- Eat celery; it contains a lot of water.
- Eat or suck sour things, like lemons or sour candy.
- Eat frequent snacks or small meals, and don’t forget to drink at the same time.
Implement good oral hygiene habits
- Chew sugarless gum or xylitol gum.
- Use mouthwash (alcohol-free), such as Biotene.
- Make your own mouthwash: Combine 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, 1 teaspoon dried mint, and 1 teaspoon aniseed with 2 1/2 cups boiling water. Cover and steep for 15 to 20 minutes. Strain and refrigerate.
- Make your own toothpaste using baking soda, coconut oil, and peppermint essential oil.
Avoid bad foods, drinks, and other substances
- Reduce your carbohydrates, like bread, pasta, and cookies which tend to remain in your mouth long after you’ve finished eating them.
- Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco.
- Avoid spicy, salty, or very acidic foods.
- Avoid food and drinks containing sugar and artificial sweeteners.
Cleanse your palate
Medical cannabis, regardless of how it is consumed, can leave your breath smelling less than sweet, which may be uncomfortable in close situations. At times when brushing your teeth is not an option, chewing on parsley, fennel seeds, or anise seeds can reduce or eliminate bad breath.
Ask your doctor
If none of the dietary, behavioral, or hygiene suggestions seem to alleviate your dry mouth, talk to your doctor about alternative treatments, some of which might require a prescription.
- A salivary stimulant or substitute, or an oral moisturizer may offer some relief.
- Certain medications, such as Pilocarpine (Salagen™) and Cevimeline ( Evoxac™), may decrease the feeling of dryness in your mouth.
More Information
Dry Mouth – Xerostomia (National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health)
Mouth dryness or thick saliva (American Cancer Society)
Dry Mouth (Medline Plus)
9 Home Remedies for Dry Mouth (HowStuffWorks.com)
Simple Solutions for Treating Dry Mouth (Sjogrens Sydrome Foundation website)
How do you Treat Dry Mouth? (Drymouth.info)
What is the Treatment for Dry Mouth? (medicinenet.com)
9 Home Remedies for Dry Mouth (HowStuffWorks.com)
Dry Mouth (Cancer.net)
